What to Expect
We’re glad you’ve stopped by!
It can be unsettling to walk into a new place with new people. Here is some information that may make your first visit to one of our three unique worship services more comfortable for you and your family. We are excited to meet you!
Sunday Worship
in the Sanctuary & livestreaming
9am Traditional Worship
10:30am Family Worship
Sunday Worship in Warehouse 839 & livestreaming
11:15am Nontraditional Worship
Click or tap the images below to worship online or on demand and to see what scripture passages and messages are coming up in our Sunday sermon series.
and library of previous services
preachers, and scripture texts
What is Worship Like?
All services reflect our commitment to embody inclusiveness and welcome for all people — come as you are! You will hear an engaging and relevant message from one of our pastors or church leaders intended to connect to your life. Children are always welcome in worship, and we have nursery care available for children up to age 3. All services are livestreamed.
9am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary: This one-hour service offers a comforting blend of tradition and community. Featuring classic hymns and music from our Chancel Choir, seasonal Bell Choir, occasional special music, and Sanctuary Music Director Tony Hagood, it’s a space where ritual meets belonging and connection. Participants are encouraged to share prayer requests, fostering a sense of closeness and authentic relationship.
10:30am Family Worship in the Sanctuary: Lasting about 50 minutes, this service is tailored for the rhythms of busy family life. It’s a blend of contemporary and traditional music styles featuring our talented and versatile music staff, including vocalist Sydney McSweeney. Because we value the diverse ways we all experience God, elsewhere in the building we provide engaging options for all ages: Godly Play for younger children (age 4 through 6th grade); youth small group (grades 7–12); and adult learning opportunities.
11:15am Nontraditional Worship in Warehouse 839: Here we offer a modern worship experience in a nontraditional space. Lasting 60-70 minutes, this service features a live band (guitars & drums) leading current worship music. Our vibe is one of dim lights, authentic people, and a cup of coffee… a relaxed and inviting setting. We want to introduce or reintroduce God’s amazing, no-matter-what love and unconditional acceptance to those who don’t have a church or have felt marginalized by the church. Includes ASL interpretation for the deaf and hearing impaired; the interpreter stands on the right as you’re looking at the stage. Our hope is that Godly Play for children age 4 through 6th grade launches in Warehouse 839 in early 2025.
We celebrate Holy Communion or Remembrance of Baptism nearly every week.
Masks are optional. (We have some if you need one.) Please stay home and watch online if you’re not feeling well. (Click/tap HERE for our Covid-19 Protocols.)
Masks: Dedicated Seating Section in the Sanctuary
We have heard from some of you that having a designated seating section for those wearing masks would create a sense of peace and comfort for in-person worship. We have reserved a few rows in the front right seating section (as you’re facing the front) in which we are asking those seated to please wear a mask. (You’re welcome to wear a mask in other seating sections, and you don’t have to sit in the front right section if you’re wearing a mask, of course.)
As always, we welcome those with or without masks, and we thank you for the ways you continue to make room for everyone.
Meet our Pastors
Our Lead Pastor is April Blaine. Our Associate Pastor is Jon Osmundson.
What to Wear
Come as you are! Dress in whatever makes you feel comfortable. In this house we welcome suits and ties, dresses, jeans, and cut-offs… tee shirts, flip-flops, wingtips, and heels… We welcome big hair, no hair, blue hair, unruly hair… tattoos, piercings, and Grandma’s pearls… We mean it when we say you are welcome here!
Parking
We have a large parking lot with many spaces close to the buildings. We suggest arriving 10-15 minutes before worship for parking, connecting with the Welcome Team (if you wish), and finding a seat wherever you’d like.
There’s an ADA-approved entrance under the portico at the Social Hall doors to the Sanctuary building, where you can drop off passengers. At Warehouse 839, there’s ADA parking and an ADA ramp right by the front door.
Welcome Center
Just inside the entrance to each building are friendly people who are ready to answer your questions and show you to various places in the church, if you like.
Children
Birth – Grade 6
We have a great, kid-friendly nursery for children birth to age 4, with well-trained staff who’ve passed a background check.
For children age 4 to sixth grade, we have amazing children’s Sunday school at 11am, which we call Godly Play. Grownups bring children down the long hallway from the sanctuary to the area at the bottom of the stairs, where they’ll be met with a smile by our Children’s Ministry staff and volunteers (look for grownups in green God Loves You No Matter What tee shirts). Godly Play meets in the chapel and/or room 304 (second floor of the education wing).
Our Director of Children’s Ministry is Lindsay Robinson (lrobinson@hilliardumc.org). Our Director of Middle Grades Ministry (grades 3-6) is Nikki Buskirk (nikki@hilliardumc.org).
Youth
Grades 7-12
Youth Group meets on Sunday evenings during the school year, and the youth small group meets on Sunday mornings at 10:30am in room 303 (upstairs, education wing, also school year). There are special events and outreach projects year round. And your kid won’t want to miss Lakeside Institute camp in the summer!
Our Director of Youth Ministry is April Andrick (humc_youth@yahoo.com).
Adults
We have lots of groups, classes, and gatherings for adults at various times during the week! Look HERE and HERE for more info. We’re also a local hub for learning about the Enneagram, an amazingly helpful tool for personal growth.
Our Director of Adult Discipleship is Beth Palmer (bpalmer@hilliardumc.org).
Discover Hilliard UMC
Looking for an informal gathering for conversation and connection, just to get to know the pastors and some other new folks and learn about the DNA of Hilliard UMC? Come spend 90 minutes chatting with us! Details HERE.